Tinting water-borne and solvent-borne paints and stains with water-only colorants

ABSTRACT

A point-of-sale custom color system for tinting base paints and stains includes an array of water-only fluid colorants, including at least white, green, blue and red water-only colorants, which can be used to tint water-borne paints and stains. When tinting solvent-borne base paints or stains, a synergist containing one or more surfactants and optional dispersing agents or optional cosolvents is added to or is a part of the solvent-borne base paint or stains, and enables effective tinting using the water-only colorants.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/016,129 filed Jun. 22, 2018 and entitled “TINTING WATER-BORNE ANDSOLVENT-BORNE PAINTS AND STAINS WITH WATER-ONLY COLORANTS” (scheduled toissue Mar. 2, 2021 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,934,151 B2), which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/538,324 filed Jul. 28,2017 and entitled “TINTING WATER-BORNE AND SOLVENT-BORNE PAINTS ANDSTAINS WITH WATER-ONLY COLORANTS”, the disclosure of each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This invention relates to point-of-sale customized-color architecturalpaint and stain tinting systems, such as those used in retail paintstores to make custom-tinted house paints or stains.

BACKGROUND

Architectural paint and stain manufacturers typically distributepremixed paints and stains in a small number of popular colors. Toaccommodate consumer desires and enable matching of existing painted orstained surfaces, manufacturers typically also distribute a set oftintable base paints or stains and several liquid colorants. These arecombined at point-of-sale outlets using volumetric colorant dispensingequipment and shaker mixing equipment to make small batch lots ofcustom-tinted paint or stain in a much larger array of colors than thelimited color array available in premixed products.

Owing in part to industry custom and the available colorant dispensingequipment, the custom color systems from different paint or stainmanufacturers tend to have somewhat similar components. For example, atypical custom color paint system may employ several (e.g., 2 to 4)tintable base paints ranging for example from a bright white base thatalready contains a white pigment such as titanium dioxide and isintended to accept at most a small quantity of added colorant at thepoint-of-sale, to a relatively unpigmented clear base that is intendedto accept a much larger quantity of added colorant at the point-of-sale.Base paints and stains may employ various binders (e.g., natural orsynthetic resins), binder forms (e.g., solution polymers or latexpolymers) and vehicles (e.g., solvent-borne or water-borne versions),and may provide various dried surface finishes (e.g., matte, semi-glossor gloss finishes). Some manufacturers also sell colored base paints(e.g. a red, a blue and yellow colored base) which are intended to becombined with additional colorant(s) at the point-of-sale whenstrongly-tinted custom paint shades with one coat hiding power aredesired. The colorants in custom color paint or stain systems may forexample be volumetrically metered from a multiple-colorant dispensingstation, with 12 to 20 paint or stain colorants typically being employedin colorant dispensing stations for the U.S. market, and more (e.g., 16or 24 colorants) sometimes being employed in other markets.

Years ago, paints and stains were virtually all solvent-borne. Althoughsolvent-borne paints and stains continue to be used, nowadays 80% ormore of architectural paints and a significant proportion of stains arewater-borne. The overall percentage of water-borne paints and stains asa proportion of total sales is expected to continue to increase. Despitethat, some workers or customers continue to prefer solvent-borne paints(for example, alkyd paints) or solvent-borne stains in some end-useapplications, and may do so well into the future.

Universal colorants have been developed for use in point-of-sale tintingequipment. Universal colorants typically are formulated by modifying awater-borne colorant formulation to include appropriate surfactants, andoptionally to include appropriate dispersing agents or cosolvents, sothat the colorant can tint either a water-borne or solvent-borne basepaint or stain using the same tinting machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Unfortunately, the use of universal colorants requires compromises inpaint performance in order effectively to bridge the colorantcompatibility gap between water-borne and solvent-borne systems. Forexample, in water-borne paints tinted with universal colorants, thecompromised performance factors may include one or more of highervolatile organic compound (VOC) content, surfactant leaching, increasedtack, reduced blocking resistance and viscosity drop. For solvent-bornepaints tinted with such colorants, the compromised performance factorsmay include one or more of longer drying time, reduced film hardness oraltered gloss. Some point-of-sale paint stores use water-borne colorantsto tint water-borne paints and stains, and employ a separate tintingmachine containing solvent-borne colorants optimized for use withsolvent-borne paints and stains. This solution is not ideal, since itrequires investment in and maintenance of two tinting machines; requiresthe sale, storage and inventory of extra Stock Keeping Units (SKUs)representing the solvent-borne paint colorants; and may result incolorant shelf life expiration or dispenser plugging problems for lessfrequently used water-borne or solvent-borne colorants.

It would be desirable to provide a point-of-sale universal tintingsystem that could be used with either water-borne or solvent-bornepaints and stains, without unduly compromising the performance of theresulting custom-tinted paint or stain products, and without requiringseparate tinting machines and separate colorant arrays. We have foundthat by employing a paint tinting system utilizing water-borne andsolvent-borne paint or stain bases, an array of water-only fluidcolorants, and a synergist containing, primarily or exclusively,ingredients that will assist in dispersing the water-only colorants intosolvent-borne paints or stains, we can reduce or eliminate theabove-mentioned performance compromises, and avoid the need to purchaseand maintain separate tinting machines and separate colorant arrays.

The synergist may be a liquid, powdered solid, or a dispersible solidobject such as a compressed pill or tablet. The synergist may beintroduced into a solvent-borne base paint or stain in a variety ofways, and may be introduced before, together with or (less preferably)after introduction of one or more water-only fluid colorants into suchsolvent-borne base paint or stain. In one embodiment, the synergist maybe supplied in a cartridge, canister or other standard container of thetype normally used for liquid colorants, disposed in one of the tintingmachine dispenser slots normally reserved for a colorant, and dispensedinto the base paint or stain using the tinting machine metering circuit.In another embodiment, the synergist may be dispensed into asolvent-borne base paint or stain using a separate, “bolt-on” dispensingsystem. Such a bolt-on system optionally may have lower precision thanthe tinting machine colorant metering circuit, as the amount ofsynergist to be employed does not need to be controlled as precisely asthe colorant amount. In yet another embodiment, an in-store technicianmay separately add the synergist at the point-of-sale to a solvent-bornepaint or stain (for example as a pill, tablet, sachet or otherdispersible or dissolvable pouch, or as a pour-in powdered product). Ina further embodiment, a paint or stain manufacturer may add or includethe synergist to or in a base paint or stain at a factory, warehouse orother non-retail site prior to delivery to a point-of-sale retail,wholesale or combined retail/wholesale outlet. The system canaccordingly be used with just the water-only colorants when it isdesired to tint a water-borne paint or stain, and can be used with suchcolorants together with an appropriate amount of the synergist when itis desired to tint a solvent-borne paint or stain.

Because the synergist only needs to be used for tinting solvent-bornepaints or stains, the ingredients (e.g., the surfactants, optionaldispersing agents and optional cosolvents) in the synergist may bechosen to optimize the performance of the tinted solvent-borne paint orstain alone, and without regard to their potential impact on water-bornepaint or stain performance.

The invention thus provides, in one aspect, a point-of-sale custom colorsystem for tinting base paints and stains, the system comprising:

-   -   a) an array of water-only fluid colorants including at least        white, green, blue and red colorants, the colorants being        packaged in containers with a volume of about 0.5 to about 5 L        and from which colorant may be gravimetrically or volumetrically        dispensed via an automated or manual colorant dispenser into the        base paint or stain; and    -   b) at least one synergist containing, primarily or exclusively,        one or more ingredients that will disperse the water-only        colorants into solvent-borne base paints or stains.

In an embodiment, the above point-of-sale custom color system alsoincludes at least one water-borne base paint or stain and at least onesolvent-borne base paint or stain, the base paints or stains beingpackaged in largely but incompletely filled point-of-sale containerswith a volume of about 0.2 to 20 L equipped with an openable andrecloseable lid, cap or other closure for an opening through whichcolorant may be dispensed from the automated or manual colorantdispenser into the base paint or stain.

In a further embodiment, the above point-of-sale custom color systemalso includes the automated or manual colorant dispenser.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a point-of-sale custom colorsystem for tinting base paints and stains, the system comprising:

-   -   a) an array of water-only fluid colorants including at least        white, green, blue and red colorants, the colorants being        packaged in containers with a volume of about 0.5 to about 5 L        and from which colorant may be gravimetrically or volumetrically        dispensed via an automated or manual colorant dispenser into the        base paint or stain; and    -   b) at least one water-borne base paint or stain and at least one        solvent-borne base paint or stain, the base paints or stains        being packaged in largely but incompletely filled point-of-sale        containers with a volume of about 0.2 to 20 L equipped with an        openable and recloseable lid, cap or other closure for an        opening through which colorant may be dispensed from the        automated or manual colorant dispenser into the base paint or        stain, wherein the solvent-borne base paint or stain includes a        synergist in the form of one or more ingredients that will        disperse the water-only colorants into such solvent-borne base        paint or stain.

In an embodiment, the latter point-of-sale custom color system alsoincludes the automated or manual colorant dispenser.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a method for point-of-salecustom paint or stain tinting, the method comprising using an automatedor manual colorant dispenser to dispense into water-borne andsolvent-borne base paints or stains at a retail, wholesale or combinedretail/wholesale outlet one or more water-only fluid colorants selectedfrom an array of colorants including at least white, black, red, greenand blue water-only colorants, and further comprising adding to orincluding in the solvent-borne base paints or stains at least onesynergist containing one or more ingredients that will disperse thewater-only colorants into such solvent-borne base paints or stains.

The disclosed system and method permit point-of-sale formulation andsale of both water-borne and solvent-borne custom-tinted paints andstains using a single tinting machine and a single colorant array, whileavoiding or minimizing added inventory, dedicated dispensers ordedicated floor space.

This application is related to copending application Ser. No. 16/016,179filed Jun. 22, 2018 and entitled “TINTING WATER-BORNE AND SOLVENT-BORNEPAINTS AND STAINS WITH POWDERED COLORANTS” (scheduled to issue Mar. 2,2021 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,933,389 B2), the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views of embodiments of the disclosedpaint or stain tinting system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosed colorantarray and the disclosed synergist;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the addition to a container of a basepaint or stain of a synergist in a sachet;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the addition to a container of a basepaint or stain of a synergist from a squeeze bottle; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the factory addition of a synergist to abase paint or stain, followed by shipment of the synergist-containingbase paint or stain to a point-of-sale retail, wholesale or combinedretail/wholesale outlet for subsequent tinting.

Like reference symbols in the various figures of the drawing indicatelike elements. The elements in the drawing are not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless the context indicates otherwise the following terms shall havethe following meaning and shall be applicable to the singular andplural:

The terms “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are usedinterchangeably. Thus, for example, a system or method that includes “a”synergist means that the system or method may include “one or more”synergists.

The terms “architectural paints” and “architectural stains” respectivelymean paints and stains for use on interior or exterior building orconstruction surfaces, e.g., walls, trim, floors, decks, railings,ceilings, roofs (including metal roofing, shingles and tiles), roadways,sidewalks, etc.

The term “array” when used with respect to colorants means an assortmentof colorants intended to be used individually or in appropriatecombinations to tint base paints or stains so as to provideuser-customized colors in a wide gamut of hues. A typical array willnormally contain at least white, green, blue and red colorants, andusually will also contain one or more black colorants, one or moreyellow colorants and one or more oxide colorants such as red oxide oryellow oxide. The individual colorants in a typical array will normallybe supplied by a single manufacturer, be packaged in similar containers,bear similar labels each having a distinct SKU identifier, and may beara unifying trademark for the array or for the brand of paint or stainwith which the array is intended to be used.

The term “automated colorant dispenser” means a dispenser for paint orstain colorants which is controlled or controllable viaelectronically-regulated precision gravimetric weighing or volumetricmetering devices so as to dispense controlled quantities of one or morecolorants (e.g., water-only colorants) into a base paint or staincontainer and thereby facilitate preparation of tinted paints or stainswhose tints are selected from an array of tints. The colorant types andamounts selected by such an automated colorant dispenser will optionallyand preferably be controlled using software and a suitable database.

The term “base paint or stain” means a water-borne or solvent-bornepaint or stain product packaged in a largely but incompletely filledpoint-of-sale container with a volume of about 0.2 to 20 L equipped withan openable and recloseable lid, cap or other closure, and which may beused as is but normally will be tinted at the point-of-sale by addingone or more colorants to the paint or stain product in its container,and stirring, shaking or otherwise mixing the container contents todisperse the colorant throughout the base paint or stain product.

The term “binder” means a film-forming natural or synthetic polymersuitable for use in a paint or stain.

The term “colorant” means a composition that can be added to (e.g.,dispensed into) a point-of sale container whose interior volume islargely (e.g., two thirds of the container volume or more) but notcompletely already filled with a base paint or stain so as to alter thehue or lightness of such base paint or stain, and which contains pigmentor dye and an optional vehicle but is substantially free of binder.

The term “custom-tinted” when used with respect to a system or methodfor tinting base paints or stains means that one or more colorants canbe dispensed into a base paint or stain and mixed to provide finishedpaint or stains in a wide variety of (e.g., more than one hundred oreven more than one thousand) preselected formulated colors or, ifdesired, a match for randomly-selected colors. The preselectedformulated colors will ordinarily be viewed by potential end users usingprinted color charts or displayed computer images.

The term “headspace” when used with respect to a base paint or stain inan openable container refers to an unfilled small portion of the totalcontainer volume (for example, about 1% to about 33%, and in someembodiments about 1% to about 15%, of the total container volume)available for and intended to be used for colorant addition.

The term “liquid” when used to describe a material that can exist inseveral different phases refers to the phase occupied by that materialat room temperature (23° C.) and 1 atm.

The term “manual colorant dispenser” means a non-automated dispenser forpaint or stain colorants which is equipped with manually-movable pistonswhose strokes have been indexed to manually meter quantities of one ormore colorants into a base paint or stain container and therebyfacilitate preparation of tinted paints or stains whose tints areselected from an array of tints.

The term “NVM” is an abbreviation for non-volatile materials, and refersto a material that does not significantly evaporate at standardtemperature and pressure. NVM content may be evaluated using ASTMD1353-13.

The term “paint” means a coating composition including pigment andbinder which when applied to form a thin (e.g., 100 μm) wet thicknesscoating film on a freshly-sanded smooth wood surface, will when driedhide or substantially hide the wood grain and will present a new surfacewith its own appearance.

The term “pigment” includes both colored, dispersible solid particulatematerials and colored dispersible or soluble dye materials, wherein thematerial imparts visually noticeable color to a base paint or stain when5 wt. % (in the case of a colored, dispersible solid particulate) or0.05 wt. % (in the case of a colored, dispersible or soluble dye) of thematerial is added to (e.g., dispensed into) the base paint or stain. Thepresence or absence of visually noticeable color may be assessed bypreparing drawdown samples of the base paint or stain with and withoutthe pigment, casting such samples as 25 μm dry thickness coated filmsover the white part of a BYK-Gardner No. PA-2811 opacity drawdown chart(from BYK-Gardner USA) or comparable chart, and examining the coatedfilms under normal overhead interior illumination.

The term “pigment volume concentration” when used in respect to a paint,stain or colorant means the total percentage of dried coating volumeoccupied by all pigment species in the coating.

The terms “point-of-sale” and “retail” when used with respect to a site,location, store or other outlet means a place at which custom-mixedpaints or stains are tinted and mixed in small batch lots (e.g., onehalf pint, one pint, one quart, one liter, one gallon, four liter, fivegallon or 20 liter containers, corresponding to containers from about0.2 to 20 L) for sale to end-users (e.g., painters, builders andhomeowners). Representative point-of-sale retail, wholesale or combinedretail/wholesale outlets include paint stores, hardware stores, buildingsupply stores (including warehouses), and distribution centers.

The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of theinvention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same orother circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or morepreferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are notuseful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scopeof the invention.

The term “primarily or exclusively”, when used with respect to theamount of an ingredient or ingredients in a synergist, means in the caseof the word “primarily” that the named ingredient or ingredientsrepresent at least 50 wt. % of the ingredients in such synergist,excluding any solvent or other carrier (e.g., water) that may be presentin the synergist. In some embodiments the named ingredient oringredients may represent at least 60 wt. %, at least 70 wt. %, at least80 wt. % or at least 90 wt. % of the ingredients in such synergist,excluding such solvent or other carrier. In the case of the word“exclusively”, the synergist consists essentially of or consists of suchnamed ingredient or ingredients, excluding such solvent or othercarrier.

The term “solid” when used to describe a material that can exist inseveral different phases refers to the phase occupied by that materialat room temperature (23° C.) and 1 atm.

The term “solvent-borne” when used in respect to a paint, stain orcolorant means that the major liquid vehicle or carrier for the paint,stain or colorant is a nonaqueous solvent or mixture of nonaqueoussolvents.

The term “stain” means a coating composition including binder which whenapplied to form a thin (e.g., 100 μm) wet thickness coating film on afreshly-sanded smooth wood surface, will when dried not hide both thewood grain and its texture. When a semi-transparent stain is applied towood, the wood grain and its texture normally both remain noticeable,whereas when a solid color (viz., opaque) stain is applied the grainnormally becomes hidden while the texture normally remains noticeable. Astain typically will soak into a wood or other porous substrate (e.g.,concrete) to a much greater extent than will a paint.

When used with respect to a component which may be found in a paint,stain or colorant composition, the term “substantially free of” meanscontaining less than about 1 wt. % of the component based on thecomposition weight.

The terms “tint strength” and “tinting strength” refer to the valueobtained using ASTM D 3022-84 (Reapproved 2005), Standard Test Methodfor Color and Strength of Color Pigments by use of a Miniature Sandmill,and calculated using the Kubelka-Monk equation for tinting strength setout in Section 8.4.4 of the ASTM Test Method. Preferably themeasurements are obtained using spectrophotometric instrumentation suchas Datacolor TOOLS™ software and a Datacolor SPECTRAFLASH™ SF300 orsimilar spectrophotometer, a D65 illuminant, CIE 196410° StandardObserver angle and reflectance mode.

The term “uncolored” when used with respect to a synergist means thatthe synergist does not contain visually noticeable quantities ofpigment. A synergist may however have its own inherent color, such asthe yellow coloration sometimes found in amine group-containingsurfactants.

The term “water-borne” when used in respect to a paint, stain orcolorant means that the major liquid vehicle or carrier for the paint,stain or colorant is water.

The term “water-only” when used with respect to a fluid (viz., liquid)colorant means that the colorant can be used to tint a water-borne basepaint or stain, but exhibits objectionable rub-up (viz., unsatisfactorycompatibility) when added by itself in an attempt to tint a conventionalsolvent-borne paint (such as Ace™ Royal™ polyurethane alkyd enamel fromAce Hardware Co., Item No. 245A320) or a conventional solvent-bornestain (such as Cabot™ Semi-Transparent deck and siding stain No. 0306from The Valspar Corporation). Rub-up may be evaluated using the Rub-UpTest shown below in the Examples section. Objectionable rub-up may forexample correspond to less than a 6 pass score or more than a moderatedark rating in the Rub-Up Test. A skilled paint tinting technician wouldregard a water-only colorant as being a “non-universal” colorant, andwould regard a universal colorant as not being a water-only colorant.

The recitation of a numerical range using endpoints includes all numberssubsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3,3.80, 4, 5, etc.).

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment 100 of the disclosedpaint and stain mixing system. Container 102 holds a liquid water-bornebase paint or stain 104. The upper surface 106 (shown in phantom view)of base paint or stain 104 is located a sufficient distance D1 belowcontainer lid 108 so that a headspace 110 is available for the additionof one or more colorants to prepare a custom-tinted water-borne paint orstain with a custom hue. Handle 111 may be used to carry container 102.Container 112 holds a liquid solvent-borne base paint or stain 114. Theupper surface 116 (also shown in phantom view) of base paint or stain114 is located a sufficient distance D2 below container lid 118 so thata headspace 120 is available for the addition of one or more colorantsto prepare a solvent-borne paint or stain with a custom hue. Distance D2may be greater than, less than or the same as distance D1, and willdepend on the amount of colorants already present in base paints orstains 104 and 114 and the expected amount of colorant(s) that mightneed to be dispensed into base paints or stains 104 and 114 to obtainsatisfactory final hues. Handle 121 may be used to carry container 112.The disclosed system and method may optionally employ a further base orbases (not shown in FIG. 1), for example a clear water-borne orsolvent-borne base paint or stain for making deep colored custom tints.

Base paint or stain containers 102 and 112 may be combined withcolorant, and synergist may be added to solvent-borne base paint orstain 114, using manual colorant dispenser 130. Dispenser 130 includescabinet 132 on which is mounted shelf 134 where containers 102 or 112may be placed for colorant addition, and in the case of container 112for synergist addition. Turntable 136 includes a series of refillablecolorant or synergist dispenser canisters (twelve in this case, four ofwhich are numbered as 138 a, 138 b, 138 c and 138 d) containing apoint-of-sale array of liquid colorants in most of the canisters andsynergist in one or more of the remaining canisters. For example, thesynergist may be contained in canister 138 a, and colorants may becontained in canisters 138 b, 138 c and 138 d and the other unnumberedcanisters on turntable 136. Alternatively, for example if it is desiredto use all available turntable positions for colorant addition, thesynergist may be dispensed into solvent-borne base paint or stain 114using a separate bolt-on dispenser. An exemplary such dispenser isrepresented by reservoir 152 which contains synergist 154 (shown inphantom view) and which is closed by removable cap 156. Reservoir 152may be refilled by removing cap 156 and pouring additional synergistinto reservoir 152. Outlet conduit 158, manually-operated valve 160 anddispensing spout 162 may be used to dispense synergist into container112 from spout 164. The amount of synergist that has been added tocontainer 112 may be estimated using index marks 166 or by noting thechange in the content level within container 112 during synergistaddition. The synergist volume may also be metered by valve 160, forexample by providing a hollow chamber in valve 160 holding a specifiedamount (for example, 0.5 fluid ounce or 14.8 mL) and configuring valve160 so that the entire contents of the chamber are dispensed from spout164 when the handle on valve 160 is rotated one full turn. Additionalturns can be used to dispense additional synergist. A typical synergistaddition to a 1 gallon (3.78 L) base paint or stain container will beabout 2 fluid ounces (about 59 mL), and need not be as preciselymeasured as when adding colorants. Thus for a valve 160 configured asdescribed above, a single turn of the valve handle might be used todispense sufficient synergist into a 1 quart (0.946 L) container holdinga solvent-borne paint or stain, and four full turns might be used todispense sufficient synergist into a 1 gallon (3.78 L) container holdingsuch paint or stain.

When tinting a water-borne base paint or stain such as base paint orstain 104, the synergist preferably is not employed. When tinting asolvent-borne base paint or stain such as base paint or stain 114, thesynergist is usually or always employed together with one or morecolorants, and is omitted only when the volume or type of colorant issuch that compatibility problems will not be expected to arise. By wayof example, canister 138 d includes a metered dispensing cylinder 140 dcontaining a piston and connecting link (neither of which is shown inFIG. 1) joined to movable handle 142 d whose position can be adjustedvertically along cylinder 140 d to provide for the metered delivery ofcolorant or synergist from canister 138 d through dispensing outlet 144d and into a container such as base paint or stain container 102 or 112placed on shelf 134. The remaining canisters include similar butunnumbered metered dispensing cylinders, pistons, connecting links,handles and dispensing outlets. Release lever 150 permits turntable 136to be rotated as needed to bring each colorant or synergist canister inline above shelf 134 and locked into place while colorant or synergistis metered and dispensed into a base paint or stain container. Theamount and type of synergist that will be dispensed into a solvent-bornebase paint or stain may in the interest of simplicity be the samewhenever a solvent-borne base paint or stain is tinted. In otherembodiments, the amount or type of synergist(s) may be varied dependingon the amount of colorant to be added (viz., more synergist or anothersynergist may be employed when a dark or deep tint is prepared, and lesssynergist or another synergist may be employed when a light pastel tintis prepared), the type of colorant to be added (viz., more synergist oranother synergist may be employed when a green or blue tint is prepared,and less or no synergist may be employed when a black or yellow tint isprepared), or both the amount and type of colorant to be added. Theamount or type of synergist(s) may also be varied depending upon thechosen solvent-borne base paint or stain. Preferably the synergist(s)are added prior to the addition of colorants, but this is not required.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment 200 of the disclosedpaint and stain mixing system. Base paint or stain containers 102 and112 are as in FIG. 1. Containers 102 and 112 may be combined withcolorant, and synergist may be added to container 112, using automatedcolorant dispenser 202. Dispenser 202 includes a shelf 204 wherecontainers 102 or 112 may be placed for colorant or synergist addition.Cabinet 206 holds a series of replaceable colorant or synergistdispenser canisters (sixteen in this case, four of which are numbered as208 a, 208 b, 208 c and 208 d) containing a point-of-sale array ofliquid colorants in most of the canisters and one or more synergists inone or more remaining canisters. Colorant or synergist is dispensed fromthe appropriate canister through suitable internal plumbing in cabinet206 (not shown in FIG. 2) and suitable dispensing nozzles (not shown inFIG. 2) positioned in dispensing head 210, and thence into a base paintor stain container. Alternatively, the synergist may be dispensed intosolvent-borne base paint or stain 114 from a separate bolt-on dispenser.An exemplary such separate dispenser is represented by reservoir 252which contains synergist 254 (shown in phantom view) and includesremovable cover 256 to permit refilling of reservoir 252. Outlet conduit258, electrically-operated metering valve 260 and dispensing spout 262may be used to dispense synergist into container 122 from spout outlet264. A microprocessor or other control device (not shown in FIG. 2) maybe used to meter the amount of synergist added to container 112. Amonitor 212 and keyboard 214 permit information and commands to beentered into dispenser 202. A barcode reader (not shown in FIG. 2) maybe used to read information from paint or stain sample cards or basepaint or stain containers to assist in controlling the system. A powerbutton 216 and emergency off button 220 may be used to start and stopdispenser 202 and valve 260. As is the case for the embodiments shown inFIG. 1, the amount or type of synergist(s) may be varied depending onthe amount or type of colorant to be added. In addition, and as is thecase for the embodiments shown in FIG. 1, the amount or type ofsynergist(s) may also be varied depending upon the chosen solvent-bornebase paint or stain. Such variations in the amount or type ofsynergist(s) will generally be much more easily and reliablyaccomplished in an automated colorant dispenser like that shown in FIG.2 then in a manual colorant dispenser like that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a point-of-sale colorant array 300 withthirteen containers 302 through 326 containing water-only fluidcolorants in different hues. In the center of FIG. 3 is a fourteenthcontainer designated 328 and containing a synergist. Although not shownin FIG. 3, the corresponding point-of-sale custom color system will alsoinclude one or more water-borne paint or stain bases like base 102 inFIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and one or more solvent-borne paint or stain baseslike base 112 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Container 302 is representative ofthe other containers in FIG. 3, includes side 330, bottom 332, top 334and label 336, and may for example contain a water-only liquid colorantsuch as a carbon black dispersion for use in tinting interior paints.Top 334 preferably is puncturable, shearable or otherwise penetrable,and may resemble the top used in soup cans. Container 304 contains adifferent water-only liquid colorant such as a dispersion of anon-infrared-absorptive black colorant for use in tinting exteriorpaints. Containers 306 through 326 contain additional water-only fluidcolorants, which in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 respectively arewhite, green, blue, red, magenta, red oxide, yellow oxide, mediumyellow, yellow, transparent yellow and transparent red colorants. Thecolorants in containers 302 through 322 preferably are water-only fluidcolorants optimized for use with water-borne paints and stains, and thecolorants in containers 324 and 326 preferably are water-only fluidcolorants optimized for use with water-borne stains. When added bythemselves to a solvent-borne paint or stain, the colorants incontainers 302 through 326 may exhibit poor compatibility. However, poorcompatibility may not be exhibited by all such colorants. For example,the medium yellow colorant in container 320 and the yellow colorant incontainer 322 may, owing to the nature of these colorants, exhibitreasonable compatibility with both water-borne and solvent-borne paintsand stains even in the absence of the synergist in container 328. Theselatter colorants will nonetheless, in the interest of simplicity, bereferred to as “water-only” colorants.

The synergist in container 328 preferably is optimized to provideimproved compatibility (for example, a more homogeneous mixture andappearance, and reduced rub-up) when at least colorants 306 through 312,and more preferably when each of colorants 302 through 318 and 324through 326, is dispensed into a solvent-based paint or stain.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the addition to a container 402 containinga solvent-borne base paint or stain 404 of a synergist 406 in a plasticfilm sachet 408. Sachet 408 may be made from a variety ofsolvent-soluble materials such as polyvinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetatecopolymers. If desired, sachet 408 may be made from a material withsolvent solubility but little or no water solubility so as to enableretrieval of the intact sachet if it is accidentally dropped into acontainer of a water-borne paint or stain. Sachet 408 may if desired besized for use in a smaller (for example, 1 quart) standard container andmultiple such sachets may be used when tinting the contents of a larger(for example, 1 gallon) standard container.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the addition to container 402 andsolvent-borne base paint or stain 404 of a synergist 502 contained in asqueeze bottle 504. Index marks 506 or the contents level in container402 may be used to gauge the amount of synergist added to container 402.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a paint factory filling andpackaging line 600 including conveyor 601 for transporting containers602, which are largely but incompletely filled with solvent-borne basepaint or stain 603, past filling station 604 where synergist 606 isadded to paint or stain 603. In one embodiment, solvent-borne base paintor stain 603 does not contain any of the ingredients (e.g., surfactants)found in the synergist prior to the addition of synergist at fillingstation 604. In another embodiment, solvent-borne base paint or stain603 may, prior to the addition of synergist at filling station 604,already contain one or more of the ingredients found in the synergist,but does not contain sufficient such ingredients to satisfactorilydisperse water-only fluid colorants from the array if added in amountssufficient to fill the available headspace in container 602. Lids 610are installed at capping station 612 and closed at pressing station 614.The resulting factory-filled, synergist-containing solvent-borne basepaint or stain containers are shipped using for example truck 616 to apoint-of-sale retail, wholesale or combined retail/wholesale outlet 620.At outlet 620, automated dispensing machine 622 equipped with a keyboard624 and monitor 626 may be used to dispense water-only fluid colorantsthrough spout 628 into containers 606.

A variety of liquid base paints and stains may be used in the disclosedsystem and method, and will be familiar to persons having ordinary skillin the art. The base paints and stains normally will contain one or morepolymeric binders and one or more pigments, and may in addition containone or more vehicles or carriers and one or more adjuvants. Exemplarywater-borne binders may for example include latex polymers andwater-dispersible binders. Such water-dispersible binders may bewater-dispersible as is, or may be water-dispersible following theaddition of a suitable neutralizing agent such as ammonia or an amine.Exemplary solvent-borne binders may for example include solutionpolymers. Because appropriate chemical modifications may be used toconvert a solution polymer to a water-dispersible polymer, is best tofocus on polymer types broadly rather than categorizing any givenpolymer as being water-borne or solvent-borne. Representative binderpolymers accordingly include but are not limited to acrylic copolymers,alkyd resins and other drying oil modified polymers including polyestersand polyurethanes, styrene/acrylic copolymers, vinyl acetate copolymers,vinyl acetate/acrylic copolymers, vinyl versatic acid ester/acryliccopolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, styrene/butadienecopolymers, polyesters, polyamides, epoxy esters, polyureas,polyurethanes, polysiloxanes, silicones, fluorinated copolymers such asvinylidene fluoride, and compatible blends of any of the above polymericbinders. The base paints or stains may include a component or componentsof a multicomponent (e.g., two component) reactive system for the bindersuch as a component of an isocyanate-polyamine, isocyanate-polyol,epoxy-polyamine, carbodiimide-polyacid, aziridine-polyacid,melamine-polyol, or urea formaldehyde-polyol system. The binder may forexample represent about 5 to about 99 volume percent of the driedcoating volume. The volume solids, as defined by the fractional volumeof dry paint ingredients in the as-supplied wet base paint or stain, mayfor example represent about 5 to about 80 volume percent of the basepaint. The glass transition temperature for the polymeric binder may forexample be about −20 to about 60° C. The base paint or stain viscositymay for example be about 40 to about 140 Krebs units.

A variety of pigments may be employed in the base paints and stains, andwill be familiar to persons having ordinary skill in the art. Thepigments desirably form a stable dispersion that does not requireagitation prior to use. In some instances a suitable pigment may also orinstead be referred to commercially as a dye. Exemplary pigments includetreated or untreated inorganic pigments and mixtures thereof, forexample metallic oxides including titanium dioxide, iron oxides ofvarious colors (including black) and zinc oxide; and metallic flakessuch as aluminum flakes, pearlescent flakes, and the like. Exemplarypigments also or instead include treated or untreated organic pigmentsand mixtures thereof, for example carbon black, azo pigments,benzimidazolinones, carbazoles such as carbazole violet, indanthrones,isoindolinones, isoindolons, perylenes, phthalocyanines, quinacridonesand thioindigio reds. Suitable pigments are commercially available froma variety of commercial suppliers including BASF, the LANXESS InorganicPigment Business Unit of Bayer Corp., Cabot Corp, Ciba SpecialtyChemicals, Clariant, Ferro Corporation, Shepherd Color Company, SunChemical and Tomatec America, Inc. Other exemplary pigments aredescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,141,599 B2 (Korenkiewicz etal.), U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,291 B2 (Hertz et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 8,748,550B2 (Cavallin et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 8,752,594 B2 (Gebhard et al.).The pigments are used in one or both of the base paint or stain andcolorants in amounts sufficient to provide a suitably tinted and if needbe suitably opaque cured final paint, stain or industrial coating at thedesired coating thickness level, e.g., at pigment volume concentrationsof about 0 to about 95 volume percent of the base paint or stain.

The pigments may be supplemented with extenders or fillers such as talc,china clay, barytes, carbonates, silicates and mixtures thereof, forexample magnesium silicates, calcium carbonate, aluminosilicates, silicaand various clays; organic materials including plastic beads (e.g.,polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride beads), microspherical materialscontaining one or more voids, and vesiculated polymer particles (e.g.,those discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,427,835, 4,920,160, 4,594,363,4,469,825, 4,468,498, 4,880,842, 4,985,064, 5,157,084, 5,041,464,5,036,109, 5,409,776, and 5,510,422). Other exemplary extenders orfillers include EXPANCEL™ 551DE20 acrylonitrile/vinyl chloride expandedparticles (from Expancel Inc.), SIL-CEL™ 43 glass micro cellular fillers(from Silbrico Corporation), FILLITE™ 100 ceramic spherical particles(from Trelleborg Fillite Inc.), SPHERICEL™ hollow glass spheres (fromPotter Industries Inc.), 3M ceramic microspheres including grades G-200,G-400, G-600, G-800, W-210, W-410, and W-610 (from 3M), 3M hollowmicrospheres including 3M Performance Additives iM30K (also from 3M),INHANCE™ UH 1900 polyethylene particles (from Fluoro-Seal Inc.), andBIPHOR aluminum phosphate (from Bunge Fertilizantes S.A., Brazil).

Water-borne base paints or stains include water and optionally mayinclude one or more cosolvents. The water may for example be tap water,deionized water or distilled water. Water-borne base paints or stainsmay for example contain sufficient water so that at least about 20 or atleast about 35 and up to about 80 or up to about 65 wt. % solids arepresent when the tinted paint or stain is applied to a substrate.Cosolvents may assist in mixing or coating a water-borne base paint orstain; may speed up, retard or otherwise change the time or emissionsassociated with drying; may improve wet edge properties or overlapcharacteristics; may improve freeze-thaw protection, or may provide orimprove other features, and generally will not be retained in a film ofthe dried, cured or otherwise hardened paint or stain. A chosencosolvent may be a hazardous air pollutant solvent (HAPS material) butpreferably is a non-HAPS material or is substantially free of HAPSmaterials. Exemplary cosolvents typically have low molecular weights(e.g., up to about 700, up to about 600, up to about 500 or up to about400 g/mol) and may for example include glycols (e.g., ethylene glycol,diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol andpropylene glycol), glycol ethers (e.g., DOWANOL™ DPM and ButylCELLOSOLVE™ from Dow Chemical Co.), alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol,n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, 2-methyl butanol,isoamyl alcohol and other primary amyl alcohol isomers, n-pentanol,2-ethylhexanol, 4-hydroxy-2,6,8-trimethylnonane and diisobutylcarbinol), esters and ester alcohols (e.g., isopropyl acetate; n-butylacetate; isobutyl acetate; n-propyl acetate; primary amyl acetate mixedisomers, and UCAR™ Ester EEP from Dow Chemical Co.), ketones (e.g.,diisobutyl ketone and ECOSOFT™ Solvent IK from Dow Chemical Co.),CARBOWAX™ 300 and CARBOWAX 600 polyethylene from Dow Chemical Co.,mixtures thereof and the like. When a cosolvent is present, the coatingcompositions may for example contain at least about 0.1 or at leastabout 2 wt. % cosolvent and up to about 10 or up to about 5 wt. %cosolvent based on the tinted paint or stain weight.

The disclosed water-borne base paints and stains preferably are low VOCsolutions or dispersions. They may for example contain zero to less than8 wt. % VOCs, more preferably less than 6 wt. % VOCs, yet morepreferably less than 4 wt. % VOCs, and most preferably less than 2 wt. %VOCs based upon the total liquid composition weight.

Solvent-borne base paints or stains may include one or more solvents.The solvent may function as a carrier for the other components of thebase paint or stain or may facilitate the blending of colorants oradditional ingredients into the base paint or stain. The chosen solventmay depend in part on the chemical makeup of the base paint or stainbinder. Exemplary solvents include aliphatic and aromatic solvents, suchas mineral spirits, xylene, ketones, glycol ethers, organic esters,alcohols, ethylene or propylene glycols and other aromatic compounds.Mixtures of solvents may be employed, for example, aromatic distillatesmay be combined with glycol ethers or alcohols. A solvent-borne basepaint or stain may for example contain at least about 20 or at leastabout 30 wt. % solvent, and up to about 50 or up to about 45 wt. %solvent based on the total composition weight.

An optional reactive diluent or resin may be included in the base paintor stain. The reactive diluent or resin may function as a carrier forthe other components of the base paint or stain, may facilitate theblending of colorants or additional ingredients into the base paint orstain, may increase the solids content at application without increasingthe coating viscosity or VOC content, or may enhance (in some cases,synergistically) various coating performance characteristics such asadhesion, hardness and chemical resistance. Suitable reactive diluentsor resins include polymerizable monomers (for example, acrylic ormethacrylic monomers), vinyl resins, acrylic resins, epoxy resins,oligomers, polyether polyols, and a variety of low molecular weightpolyfunctional resins. If employed, a reactive diluent or resin may forexample represent at least about 0.1, at least about 0.5 or at leastabout 1 wt. %, and up to about 20, up to about 15 or up to about 10 wt.% based on the weight of ingredients in the tinted paint or stain.

Water-borne base paints or stains typically will contain one or moredispersing agents and one or more surfactants. Exemplary dispersingagents include anionic polyelectrolyte dispersants such as maleic acidcopolymers, acrylic acid copolymers including methacrylic acidcopolymers, and carboxylic acids such as tartaric acid, succinic acid,citric acid, itaconic acid, mixtures thereof and other materials thatwill be familiar to persons having ordinary skill in the art. Exemplarysurfactants include anionic, amphoteric and nonionic materials. Theremay be some overlap in nomenclature when certain dispersants orsurfactants are identified in commercial literature. Suitabledispersants and surfactants are commercially available from a variety ofsuppliers including 3M, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Akzo Nobel,Ashland, BASF, Dow Chemical Co., E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Co.,Elementis Specialties, Inc., Harcros Chemicals, Rhodia and Solvay, suchas the TAMOL™ series from Dow Chemical Co., nonyl and octyl phenolethoxylates from Dow Chemical Co. (e.g., TRITON™ X-45, TRITON X-100,TRITON X-114, TRITON X-165, TRITON X-305 and TRITON X-405) and othersuppliers (e.g., the T-DET N series from Harcros Chemicals), alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE) replacements from Dow Chemical Co., ElementisSpecialties, Inc. and others, various members of the SURFYNOL™ seriesfrom Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (e.g., SURFYNOL 104, SURFYNOL104A, SURFYNOL 104BC, SURFYNOL 104DPM, SURFYNOL 104E, SURFYNOL 104H,SURFYNOL 104PA, SURFYNOL 104PG50, SURFYNOL 104S, SURFYNOL 2502, SURFYNOL420, SURFYNOL 440, SURFYNOL 465, SURFYNOL 485. SURFYNOL 485W, SURFYNOL82, SURFYNOL CT-211, SURFYNOL CT-221, SURFYNOL OP-340, SURFYNOL PSA204,SURFYNOL PSA216, SURFYNOL PSA336, SURFYNOL SE and SURFYNOL SE-F),various fluorocarbon surfactants from 3M, E. I. DuPont de Nemours andCo. and other suppliers, and phosphate esters from Ashland, Rhodia andother suppliers. When a surfactant or dispersant is present, the basepaint or stain may for example contain at least about 0.1, at leastabout 0.5 or at least about 1 wt. % surfactants or dispersants, and upto about 10, up to about 5 or up to about 3 wt. % surfactants ordispersants based on the total composition weight.

The base paint or stain may contain a variety of other adjuvants thatwill be familiar to persons having ordinary skill in the art.Representative adjuvants are described in Koleske et al., Paint andCoatings Industry, April, 2003, pages 12-86. Exemplary adjuvants andcommercial examples of the same include anti-cratering agents; biocides,fungicides, mildewcides and preservatives (e.g., BUSAN™ 1292 fromBuckman Laboratories, Inc., NOPCOCIDE™ N-40D from Cognis, KATHON™ LXfrom Rohm & Haas, and POLYPHASE™ 663, POLYPHASE 678 and POLYPHASE PW-40from Troy Corporation); coalescing agents (e.g., those described in U.S.Pat. No. 8,110,624 B2 to Brandenburger et al.); curing indicators; heatstabilizers; leveling agents; light stabilizers (e.g., hindered aminelight stabilizers such as TINUVIN™ 123-DW and TINUVIN 292 HP from CibaSpecialty Chemicals); optical brighteners; ultraviolet light absorbers(e.g., TINUVIN 234 and TINUVIN 1130 from Ciba Specialty Chemicals);wetting agents (e.g., BYK™ 346 and BYK 348 from Altana, PENTEX™ 99 fromRhodia and TROYSOL LAC™ from Troy corporation); waxes (e.g., AQUACER™593 from Altana, HYDROCER™ 303 from Shamrock Technologies, Inc. andMICHEM™ Emulsion 32535 from Michelman, Inc.); and the like. The typesand amounts of these and other adjuvants typically will be empiricallyselected.

Exemplary commercially-available water-borne base paints and stains thatcan be used in the disclosed system include ARMSTEAD™, CORAL™, DULUX™TRADE™ and FLEXA™ emulsion paints from Akzo Nobel; BEHR™, BEHR MARQUEE™and BEHR PREMIUM™, PREMIUM PLUS™ and PREMIUM PLUS ULTRA™ latex paintsfrom Behr Process Corporation; BENJAMIN MOORE™ BENJAMIN MOORE ADVANCE™,BENJAMIN MOORE AURA™, BENJAMIN MOORE BEN™, BENJAMIN MOORE NATURA™ andBENJAMIN MOORE SELECT™ latex paints from Benjamin Moore & Co.; GLIDDEN™,GLIDDEN PREMIUM™, GLIDDEN HIGH ENDURANCE™, GLIDDEN SPRED™, GLIDDENDIAMOND™, MANOR HALL™, PORTER™, REGENCY™, WONDER-PURE™ and WONDER-TONES™latex paints from PPG Industries, Inc.; A-100™, DURATION™, EMERALD™,INFINITY™, OVATION™, RESILIENCE™, SHERWIN-WILLIAMS™, SHOWCASE™ andSUPERPAINT™ latex paints and MINWAX™ Water Based Wood Stains fromSherwin-Williams; and DURAMAX™, MEDALLION, OPTIMUS™, PRISTINE™,RESERVE™, SIGNATURE™, ULTRA™, and VALSPAR™ latex paints from The ValsparCorporation.

Exemplary commercially-available solvent-borne base paints and stainsthat can be used in the disclosed system include GREAT FINISHES™ stainsfrom Ace Hardware Corporation; DULUX™ and (outside the US) GIDDEN™ alkydpaints from Akzo Nobel; BEHR™ alkyd paints from Behr ProcessCorporation; oil-based stains from McCormick Paints; MOORE SATINIMPERVO™ alkyd paint from Benjamin Moore & Co.; WEATHER-SHIELD™ alkydpaints from Kelly-Moore Co., alkyd paints from Huaron Paints (China);BAR-OX™, VELOUR™ and (outside the US) GLIDDEN™ alkyd paints from PPGIndustries, Inc.; SHERWIN-WILLIAMS PROCLASSIC™ alkyd paints and MINWAXand MINWAX WOOD FINISH™ stains from Sherwin-Williams; VALSPAR ULTRA4000™ alkyd paint and CABOT™ stains from The Valspar Corporation; andPERMO-PAVE™ alkyd paints from Wattyl Australia Pty. Ltd.

The base paints and stains typically will be packaged in containerssuitable for point-of-sale mixing of small batch lots in custom colorsand subsequent sale in the same container to the end user of acustom-tinted paint or stain. Exemplary small batch lot base paint orstain container sizes are about one half pint, one pint, one quart, oneliter, one gallon, four liter, five gallon or 20 liter containers,corresponding to base paint or stain containers from about 0.2 to 20 L.The base paint or stain container typically will be equipped with aremovable lid, cap or other closure for an opening through whichcolorant may be dispensed into the base paint or stain. Depending on theamount of pigment already present in a base paint or stain, the basepaint or stain container typically will have a small headspace (e.g.,about 1 to about 15% of the container volume) for colorant addition. Forexample, a nominal one gallon (3.79 L) clear base paint or staincontainer may hold up to about 112 fluid ounces (3.31 L) or up to about116 fluid ounces (3.43 L) of the base paint or stain, respectivelyleaving at least about 16 fluid ounces (0.47 L or about 13% of the totalcontainer volume) or at least about 12 fluid ounces (0.35 L or about 9%of the total container volume) available for colorant addition. Anominal one gallon (3.79 L) white base paint or stain container may forexample hold about 128 fluid ounces (3.79 L) of the base paint or stain,with only a small headspace (e.g., about 0.04 L or about 1% of the totalcontainer volume) available for colorant addition. When additional basepaints or stains of intermediate lightness are employed, they likewisemay have intermediate available headspace volumes for colorant addition.For example, a three base system may employ the white and clear basepaints or stains mentioned above, together with a gray base whosecontainer has up to about 120 fluid ounces (3.55 L) or up to about 124fluid ounces (3.57 L) of base paint or stain with at least about 8 fluidounces (0.24 L) or at least about 4 fluid ounces (0.12 L) of headspaceavailable for colorant addition. Additional high chroma base paints orstains (e.g., deep red, deep blue or deep yellow base paints or stains)may be employed if desired for making strongly-tinted custom paintshades with potential one coat hiding power.

A variety of colorants may be used in the disclosed system and method,and will be familiar to persons having ordinary skill in the art. Thecolorants normally will contain one or more pigments, one or morevehicles or carriers and one or more pigment dispersing agents orsurfactants, and will be in the form of pourable liquids. The colorantstypically will not contain film-forming binders, and should be combinedwith a base paint or stain in order to provide a durable dried or curedfinish. Suitable pigments include those discussed above. Colorants orcolorant arrays containing entirely inorganic pigments or pigmentmixtures may be preferred where custom-tinted paints or stains havingmaximum exterior durability are desired. Suitable vehicles or carriersinclude water and the cosolvents discussed above. Suitable pigmentdispersing agents and surfactants include those discussed above. Thecolorant may for example contain at least about 30, at least about 40 orat least about 50 wt. % pigment and up to about 90, up to about 80 or upto about 70 wt. % pigment. The colorant may for example contain at leastabout 10, at least about 20 or at least about 30 wt. % vehicles orcarriers, and up to about 70, up to about 60 or up to about 50 wt. %vehicles or carriers. The colorant may for example contain at leastabout 0.1, at least about 0.5 or at least about 1 wt. % surfactants ordispersants, and up to about 20, up to about 15 or up to about 10 wt. %surfactants or dispersants based on the total colorant weight. Thecolorants may also contain one or more adjuvants. Suitable adjuvantsinclude those discussed above. The colorants preferably are non-settlingand low VOC.

Exemplary water-only fluid colorants that may be used in the disclosedsystem are produced by a number of manufacturers including Akzo Nobel,BASF, Clariant, Color Corporation of America (a subsidiary of thepresent assignee), CPS Color, Inc., Evonik Industries, ICI, PPG andSherwin-Williams, such as the NOVOCOLOR™ HPII 8600 and NOVOCOLOR HP 8900colorant lines from Color Corporation of America, the GENNEX™ colorantline from Benjamin Moore and the ECOTONER™ colorant line fromSherwin-Williams. The chosen colorants may include all or a portion of aparticular product array. For example, an array of water-only colorantsincluding at least white, green, blue and red colorants may be selectedfrom the above-mentioned NovoColor HP 8900 product line by selecting no.8900 White, either or both of no. 8920 or 8921 Phthalo Green, either orboth of no. 8930 or 8932 Phthalo Blue, and either or both of no. 8942Interior Red or 8951 Exterior Red. Additional colorants may, subject tothe availability of suitable dispenser slots, be added to the array asdesired. Exemplary such additional colorants include one or more yellow,orange, magenta, brown or black colorants from the colorantmanufacturers mentioned above.

The disclosed system and method may for example employ 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 colorants, but may employ as few as fourcolorants if a restricted (viz., relatively few hues and relatively lowgamut) color space is acceptable. The disclosed system may employ morethan 15 colorants if sufficient dispenser slots are available andadditional colorant SKUs are acceptable. For example, the disclosedsystem and method may employ 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24colorants.

When the available number of colorant dispenser canisters is limited(e.g., when using a 12 or fewer canister dispenser), the number ofcolorant SKUs may be reduced by recognizing that some individualcolorants are themselves mixtures of pigments which may be replaced witha precisely-metered blend of individual colorants. For example, manycustom color paint systems employ one or more earth-tone colorantsvariously referred to using names such as brown oxide, raw umber orumber. Although brown oxide colorant is sometimes referred to as beingmade from a single pigment (e.g., PBr7 natural iron oxide), it mayactually have been made using a blend of red and yellow oxides (e.g.,PR101 red iron oxide and PY42 yellow iron oxide) shaded with carbonblack (e.g., PBk7 carbon black) to match a specific color target. Rawumber or umber earth-tone colorants (which may collectively be referredto as “raw umber” colorants) likewise may have been made from a blend ofcolored oxides and carbon black. These blends may be replaced by addingcolorants wholly made from (or substantially wholly made from)appropriate individual pigments, so as to provide a paint or stain whosecoloration is like the coloration that would be obtained using atraditional blended pigment colorant. This may be done by using anautomated colorant dispenser having a suitably low minimum fluiddispensing quantity (e.g., a minimum fluid dispensing quantity less than0.01 fluid ounce (<0.3 mL)) so as to enable dispensing of smallquantities of the individual colorants. Further details regarding themanner in which such blends may be dispensed may be found in theabove-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 8,141,599 B2. For example, a blend madeusing precisely-metered small amounts of yellow oxide pigment, red oxidepigment and black pigment may be dispensed into the base paint or stainwhenever a tinted paint or stain with a brown oxide or raw umber tint isrequired.

The disclosed colorants desirably have PVC values of at least about 0.1vol. %, at least about 0.5 vol. % or at least about 1 vol. %, and up toabout 25 vol. %. The amount of colorant(s) dispensed into a 1 gallon(3.78 L) nominal container of base paint or stain will vary in partdepending on the base paint, stain or colorant PVC values and may forexample range from about 0.00065 fluid ounces (0.19 mL) to about 16fluid ounces (473 mL) of colorant addition, with larger amountstypically being employed in a clear base paint or stain or in a largerbase paint or stain container, and smaller amounts typically beingemployed in a white base paint or stain or in a smaller base paint orstain container. The finished tinted paints or stains may for examplehave PVC values of at least about 0.5 or at least about 1 vol. %, andmay for example have PVC values of up to about 85 vol. % or up to about50 vol. %.

The colorant array may if desired include one or more solvent-bornecolorants. Preferably however, all of the colorants in the array and inthe colorant dispenser are water-borne colorants. In one preferredembodiment, the majority or even all of the colorants in the array andin the colorant dispenser are water-only fluid colorants. In otherpreferred embodiments, less than two, less than one or none of thecolorants in the array and in the colorant dispenser are compatible withalkyd paints and stains, and the remaining colorants in the array willexhibit visually objectionable rub-up or insufficient tint strength ifdispensed into such alkyd paints and stains without the synergist inrepresentative tinting amounts of about 1 to about 15% of the alkydpaint or stain container volume.

The colorants (and optionally the synergist) typically will be packagedin containers suitable for use in the chosen colorant dispenser(s), andsold to the dispenser owner or operator in a point-of-sale customtinting facility rather than to the end user of a custom-tinted paint orstain. Exemplary small batch lot colorant container sizes are about 0.5,1, 2 or 3 quarts; about 1 gallon; or about 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 liters,corresponding to colorant containers from about 0.5 to about 5 L.Exemplary colorant containers include boxes, cans, cartridges, jars,pouches (e.g., sealed pouches made of metal or plastic), squeezebottles, syringes, tubes (e.g., collapsible tubes such astoothpaste-style tubes made of metal or plastic, and more rigid tubesequipped with movable pistons or plungers such as caulking-style tubesmade of metal, plastic or paper) and other containers in which thecolorant can be sealed for storage and shipment and, when needed toreplace an empty container, placed in an appropriate slot or otherreceptacle or poured into an appropriate hopper or other vessel in thecolorant dispenser so that colorant may be dispensed by the colorantdispenser in controlled amounts. The colorants may be supplied to thedispenser owner or operator in a can or other sealed container designedto be opened using a can opener or other can-puncturing device. Thecontainers may be equipped with a manually-openable closure such as anopenable and recloseable cap, or may be equipped with an irreversiblyopenable closure such as a tear-off seal or rupturable septum. In anyevent, once the container has been opened, colorant may be supplied tothe colorant dispenser and thence into the base paint or staincontainer. Desirably the container, colorant dispenser or both have anozzle, adapter orifice or other design which facilitates clean entry ofthe colorant into the colorant dispenser with minimal spillage or wastebefore or after use. As supplied to the dispenser owner or operator, thecolorant container typically will include little or no headspace.

A variety of surfactants, optional dispersing agents and optionalcosolvents may be used in the disclosed synergist. Exemplary suchmaterials include surfactants, dispersing agents and cosolvents thathave been used or recommended for use in universal paint colorants, suchas those described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,878,135 (Willis), U.S. Pat. No.6,287,377 B1 (Binns et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,659,340 B2 (Coward et al.),U.S. Pat. No. 9,080,030 B2 (Amiel et al.), U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. US 2016/0333213 A1 (Zhou et al.) and PublishedInternational Application No. WO2016040641 A1 (Donlon et al.). Thesynergist materials preferably are (but in view of their intended use insolvent-borne base paints and stains are not required to be) low VOCmaterials. In certain preferred embodiments the synergist will be acombination of two or more surfactants, with the surfactants beingselected to provide improved colorant compatibility across a range ofsolvent-borne base paint or stain binders, or within an array ofwater-only fluid colorants. In additional embodiments the synergist mayalso include one or more dispersing agents, one or more cosolvents, orone or more dispersing agents and one or more cosolvents. Thesurfactants and optional dispersing agents may be solids or liquids. Aswill be appreciated by persons having ordinary skill in the art, theoptional cosolvents will be liquids, and preferably low VOC liquids.When solid surfactants or solid optional dispersing agents are employed,they may if desired be combined with a liquid surfactant, dispersingagent, cosolvent or conventional carrier or solvent (preferably a lowVOC carrier or solvent) to provide a liquid synergist.

Suitable synergists may be selected in a variety of ways, includingempirical testing to identify surfactants, dispersing agents orcosolvents that render the individual members of the desired water-onlycolorant array compatible with the desired base paints and stains; byselecting surfactants, dispersing agents or cosolvents that havepreviously been used in universal colorants; or by choosing surfactants,dispersing agents or cosolvents based upon structural considerationssuch as hydrophilicity, oliophilicity and the ability of the synergistto pull a water-only colorant into a solvent phase.

Suitable surfactants for use in the synergist include nonionic, anionic,cationic or amphoteric surfactants. Nonionic surfactants are presentlypreferred. Anionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactants may be used withsome water-only fluid colorants, especially if used in combination withone or more other synergists.

Exemplary cosolvents for use in the disclosed synergist include thecosolvents discussed above. Glycols (e.g., ethylene glycol anddiethylene glycol), glycol ethers (e.g., DOWANOL™ DPM and ButylCELLOSOLVE™ from Dow Chemical Co.), alcohols (e.g., n-propanol,isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, 2-methyl butanol, isoamyl alcoholand other primary amyl alcohol isomers, n-pentanol, 2-ethylhexanol,4-hydroxy-2,6,8-trimethylnonane and diisobutyl carbinol), esters andester alcohols (e.g., isopropyl acetate; n-butyl acetate; isobutylacetate; n-propyl acetate; primary amyl acetate mixed isomers, and UCAR™Ester EEP from Dow Chemical Co.) represent preferred cosolvents, andethylene glycol and diethylene glycol represent especially preferredcosolvents. The cosolvents preferably are (but in view of their intendeduse in solvent-borne base paints and stains are not required to be) lowVOC materials.

Exemplary dispersing agents for use in the disclosed synergist includemonomeric, oligomeric or polymeric materials that may assist indispersing the colorant pigments into solvent-borne base paints andstains. The dispersing agents preferably are (but in view of theirintended use in solvent-borne base paints and stains are not required tobe) low VOC materials. There may be some overlap in materials that maybe designated as dispersing agents for use in or as the disclosedsynergist and materials that may have been designated in other contextsfor use as cosolvents. With that in mind, exemplary dispersing agentsthat may be used in or as the synergist include materials such asdioctyl maleate, tributyl citrate, dihydric or polyhydric alcohols,polyethers including polyalkyl glycols and polyhydroxyethers, alcoholsincluding ester alcohols such as TEXANOL™ ester alcohol from EastmanChemical Company, polyethers including polyalkyl glycols andpolyhydroxyethers, modified polyureas, polyalkylene oxides, combinationsthereof, and compounds having Formula I shown below:R₁O(C(O))_(m)A(R₃)(R₄)(C(O))_(n)R₂  Iwherein:

-   -   A is a divalent C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl or C₃-C₁₀        cycloalkyl radical;    -   R₃ and R₄ are independently H, substituted or unsubstituted        C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, —OR₅        or C(O)OR₅ radicals, wherein R₅ is H or a substituted or        unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₃-C₆        cycloalkyl, or C₁-C₆ alkoxy radical;    -   R₁ and R₂ are independently H, —C═O, or a substituted or        unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl radical;    -   m is 0 or 1; and    -   n is 0 or 1.

Exemplary compounds of Formula I include the compounds II and III shownbelow:

Set out below in Table I are a variety of exemplary surfactants for usein the disclosed synergist formulations, along with an identification oftheir physical form at room temperature and an indication of theircompatibility with alkyd or latex paints. Those shown as beingcompatible with both alkyd and latex paints may in many instances beused as is. Those that are shown as being compatible only with alkydpaints but not with latex paints may also in many instances be used asis. Those however that are shown as being compatible only with latexpaints but not with alkyd paints should be used together with one ormore alkyd-compatible surfactants, which normally would be located inthe synergist rather than in the colorants. In preferred embodiments,the synergist formulations comprise, consist of or consist essentiallyof at least one liquid surfactant from Table I, or a combination ofliquid and solid surfactants from Table I that when mixed will provide aliquid dispensable from a canister in a tinting machine. Additionalpreferred embodiments are also solvent-free and thereby provide low tozero VOC formulations:

TABLE I Physical Alkyd Latex Item Description Form Compat. Compat.YELKIN ™ TS Soya lecithin liquid x Lecithin Unbleached (from ArcherDaniels Midland Co.) HYDROPALAT ™ WE difunctional block liquid x 3135(from BASF) copolymer terminating in primary hydroxyl groups HYDROPALATWE difunctional block liquid x 3167 (from BASF) copolymer terminating inprimary hydroxyl groups HYDROPALAT WE difunctional block liquid x 3317(from BASF) copolymer terminating in primary hydroxyl groups TETRONIC ™904 tetrafunctional block paste x (from BASF) copolymer terminating inprimary hydroxyl groups BYK ™ 2015 (from solution of a liquid x BykAltana) structured acrylate copolymer with pigment affinic groupsDISPERBYK ™ 102 copolymer with liquid x x (from Byk Altana) acidicgroups DISPERBYK 190 solution of a high liquid x (from Byk Altana)molecular weight solution block copolymer with pigment affinic groupsDISPERBYK 2091 modified liquid x x (from Byk Altana) polyalkoxylate withneutral pigment affinic groups DISPERBYK 2095 salt polyamine liquid x x(from Byk Altana) amides and polyesters CENTROLEX F ™ oil-free drylecithin Solid x powder (from Central Soya Company Inc.) HOSTAPHAT ™1306 phosphate ester liquid x x (from Clariant) SMA 1440H (from styrenemaleic liquid x x Cray Valley) anhydride copolymer solution solutionAEROSOL ™ OT-100 sodium dioctyl solid x x (from Cytec Industries)sulfosuccinate TAMOL ™ 165A hydrophobic liquid x Dispersant (from Dowcopolymer Chemical Company) polyelectrolyte TAMOL 731A 25% Na salt of amaleic liquid x (from Dow Chemical anhydride copolymer solution Company)TERGITOL ™ 15-S-9 secondary alcohol liquid x x Surfactant (from Dowethoxylate Chemical Company) SOLEC ™ F Deoiled dry lecithin solid x SoyLecithin Powder (from DuPont Danisco) TEGO ™ Dispersant solution of aliquid x 750 W (from Evonik copolymer with solution Resource Efficiencypigment affinic GmbH) groups SOLSPERSE ™ 67000 100% NVM liquid x x (fromLubrizol Corp) polymeric compatibiliser ABEX ™ 2545 (from proprietarynonionic liquid x Rhodia Solvay Group) surfactant GEROPON ™ 99 sodiumdioctyl liquid x x (from Rhodia Solvay sulfosuccinate Group) (Solvay)GEROPON AS-200 sodium cocoyl solid x x flake (from Rhodia isethionateSolvay Group) GEROPON SDS sodium dioctyl solid x x (from Rhodia Solvaysulfosuccinate Group) GEROPON T-22A sodium methyl oleyl liquid x x (fromRhodia Solvay taurate Group) GEROPON T-77 sodium oleyl N- solid x x(from Rhodia Solvay methyl taurate Group) LUBRHOPHOS ™ LK linear alcoholethoxy liquid x x 500 (from Rhodia phosphate Solvay Group) NOVEL ™ 23E7alcohol ethoxylate liquid x x Ethoxylate (from Rhodia Solvay Group)NOVEL 23E9 alcohol ethoxylate liquid x x Ethoxylate (from Rhodia SolvayGroup) PENTEX ™ 99 (from sodium dioctyl liquid x x Rhodia Solvay Group)sulfosuccinate RHODACAL ™ 330 branched liquid x x (from Rhodia Solvayisopropylamine Group) dodecylbenzene sulfonate RHODACAL BX-78 sodiumdibutyl solid x x (from Rhodia Solvay naphthalene Group) sulfonateRHODACAL DS-10 branched sodium solid x x (from Rhodia Solvaydodecylbenzene Group) sulfonate RHODACAL IPAM linear liquid x (fromRhodia Solvay isopropylamine Group) dodecylbenzene sulfonate RHODACAL N(from sulfonated solid x x Rhodia Solvay Group) naphthalene condensate,sodium salt RHODACAL SSA/A linear sodium liquid x x (from Rhodia Solvaydodecylbenzene Group) sulfonate RHODAFAC ™ PL-6 linear alcohol ethoxyliquid x x (from Rhodia Solvay phosphate Group) RHODAFAC PL-620 linearalcohol ethoxy liquid x x (from Rhodia Solvay phosphate Group) RHODAFACRA-600 linear alcohol ethoxy liquid x x (from Rhodia Solvay phosphateGroup) RHODAFAC RS-410 branched alcohol liquid x x (from Rhodia Solvayethoxy phosphate Group) RHODAFAC RS-610 branched alcohol liquid x x(from Rhodia Solvay ethoxy phosphate Group) RHODAFAC RS-710 branchedalcohol liquid x (from Rhodia Solvay ethyoxy phosphate Group) esterRHODAFAC RS-960 branched alcohol liquid x x (from Rhodia Solvay ethoxyphosphate Group) RHODASURF ™ BC- dodecylphenol liquid x x 630 (fromRhodia ethoxylate Solvay Group) RHODASURF BC- tridecyl alcohol liquid xx 720 (from Rhodia ethoxylate Solvay Group) RHODOLINE ™ 3600 100% NVMliquid x x (from Rhodia Solvay proprietary Group) compatibiliserRHODOLINE proprietary liquid x x DP5817 (from Rhodia compatibiliserSolvay Group) SOPROPHOR ™ tristyrylphenol liquid x x 3D/33 (from Rhodiaethoxy phosphate Solvay Group) SOPROPHOR TS-10 ethoxylated liquid x x(from Rhodia Solvay tristyrylphenol Group) G-3300 Alkyl Aryl alkyl arylsulfonate, liquid x Sulfonate (from isopropyl amine salt Stepan Company)

The disclosed synergist may if desired include one or more adjuvants,such as one or more rheology modifiers or thickeners. Other optionaladjuvants include but are not limited to adhesion promoters,antioxidants, biocides, buffers, coalescing agents, defoamers,dispersants, dyes, extender fillers, humectants, leveling agents,neutralizers, optical brighteners, pearlescents, plasticizers, polymericadditives, preservatives, reactive diluents, tackifiers, ultravioletstabilizers (e.g., hindered amine light stabilizers) and waxes. Thesynergist may in some embodiments include water, in amounts for exampleof at least about 110 wt. %, at least about 125 wt. %, or at least about150 wt. % of the weight of nonaqueous ingredients in the synergist, andin amounts up to about 500 wt. %, up to about 400 wt. % or up to about300 wt. % of the weight of nonaqueous ingredients in the synergist. Incertain embodiments, the disclosed synergist consists essentially of orconsists of surfactants, optional dispersing agents, optional cosolventsand optional rheology modifiers or thickeners. For example, thesynergist may contain less than 5 wt. % or less than 1 wt. % of anyother ingredients.

The synergist may be packaged and shipped in a variety of containers,including those discussed above in connection with the base paint orstain, and those discussed above in connection with the colorant. Insome embodiments, the synergist container is like that used for thecolorants, and can be installed in and dispensed from an available slotin the colorant dispenser. In other embodiments, the synergist ispackaged and shipped in a container from which the synergist can bemanually dispensed, such as a sachet as shown in FIG. 4, a squeezebottle as shown in FIG. 5, or in any of a number of other convenientpackaging containers that will be familiar to persons having ordinaryskill in the art.

Sufficient synergist should be employed to provide the desired degree ofcolorant dispersion into the solvent-borne base paint or stain to betinted, while leaving sufficient remaining headspace in the base paintor stain container to permit addition of the desired colorant amount.Expressed on a volumetric basis, exemplary synergist amounts may forexample be at least about 2, at least about 4, at least about 6, atleast about 8 or at least about 10 mL of synergist per liter ofsolvent-borne base paint or stain to be tinted, and up to about 60, upto about 50, up to about 40, up to about 30 or up to about 20 mL ofsynergist per liter of solvent-borne base paint or stain to be tinted.If made containing a combination of ingredients, the synergistpreferably provides a stable, homogeneous, non-settling composition thatcan be mixed into the base paint or stain in such exemplary amountsusing a conventional paint stirrer or shaker and without forming visibleclumps after mixing.

A variety of manual or automated colorant dispensers may be used in thedisclosed system and method, including the COROB™ D50 manual colorantdispenser with a 1/48 fluid ounce (0.62 mL) minimum dispensing capacityfrom CPS Color Equipment, Inc., the ACCUTINTER™ 1500, 2000, 7000 and8000 series automated colorant dispensers with a 1/384 fluid ounce(0.077 mL) minimum dispensing quantity from Fluid Management, Inc., andthe Sample Dispensing System automated colorant dispenser with a 1/1024fluid ounce (0.029 mL) minimum dispensing quantity from FluidManagement, Inc. Additional automated paint or stain colorant dispensersinclude the COROB MODULA HF™ machine with a 1/192 fluid ounce (0.153 mL)minimum dispensing quantity from CPS Color Equipment, Inc., and theTATOCOLOR™ machine with a 1/384 fluid ounce (0.077 mL) minimumdispensing quantity from CPS Color Equipment, Inc. The chosen dispensermay for example have a minimum fluid dispensing quantity less than 0.01fluid ounce (<0.3 mL), preferably less than 0.007 fluid ounce (<0.2 mL)and more preferably less than 0.005 fluid ounce (<0.15 mL). Dispenserswith even smaller minimum dispensing quantities may be employed, e.g.less than 0.001 fluid ounce (<0.03 mL) or less than 0.0002 (<0.014 mL)minimum dispensing quantities, but such dispensers may also requirelonger amounts of time to prepare strong colors in large containers.

The disclosed custom-colored architectural paints and stains may beapplied to a variety of substrates, e.g., asphalt (including asphaltcomposition shingles and membranes), cement, cement fiberboard androofing tiles, ceramics, concrete, fabric, glass, metal, paper, plasticand wood (including monolithic, engineered and veneered wood), and othersubstrates that will be apparent to persons having ordinary skill in theart.

The invention is further described in the following Examples, in whichall parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLES Example 1

NOVOCOLOR HPII 8600 water-only fluid colorants from The ValsparCorporation were tested without and with a synergist in an alkyd basepaint (Ace Royal polyurethane alkyd enamel No. 245A320 from Ace HardwareCorporation) and an oil-based stain (Cabot Semi-Transparent deck andsiding stain No. 0306 from The Valspar Corporation). The synergistcontained the ingredients shown below in Table II:

TABLE II Ingredient Wt. % Rhodacal VS1 Surfactant 44.50 Rhodafac RS-710Surfactant 33.33 Dioctyl Maleate Cosolvent 22.17

For the tinted alkyd paint, tint strength and rub-up were used to showthat adding the synergist during colorant mixing provided the necessarycompatibility. For the tinted oil-based stain, a pass/fail compatibilitytest and rub-up were evaluated to show the effectiveness of thesynergist. The rub-up test was performed as follows:

Rub-Up Test

The base paint or stain to be tested is placed in a tared glass jarequipped with a lidded closure, closed and weighed. The inside of thelid is coated by turning the jar over and back. The jar is opened anddesired amounts of the colorant and optional synergist are added basedon the weight per gallon of the tinted base (viz., the base after beingcombined with the colorant and optional synergist). The jar is closedand shaken on a HARBIL™ paint shaker for 1 or 3 minutes. The jar isagain opened and a plastic pipette whose tip has been cut down by 13 mm(½ inch) is used to remove a sample of tinted material. The pipette isset aside for later drawdown preparation. The jar is again closed andshaken on the paint shaker for an additional 3 minutes, followed byremoval of a pipetted sample, and then shaken for another 3 minutes, toprovide samples shaken for a total of 1 or 3 minutes, and for a total of6 or 9 minutes. A portion of the 1 or 3 minute shaken sample is squeezedfrom the pipette onto the left side of a drawdown card, and a spatula isused to apply a portion of the 6 or 9 minute shaken sample onto theright side of the drawdown card. Using a 4 mil BIRD™ film applicator forpastel, tint and midtone bases, and a 6 mil BIRD film applicator forultradeep or clear bases, drawdown coating films are prepared andallowed to sit until the coating begins to dry around the edges,normally about 3-5 minutes for latex coatings and most alkyd coatings.

An index finger and mild pressure are employed to make even circular“rub-up” patterns on the upper outside edge of each coated film,applying shear to the coated areas without rubbing through the film, andnormally using at least 5 and up to 25 rubs on each coated film. Thefilms are allowed to air dry for 10 minutes and then forced dried in a49° C. (120° F.) oven for at least 20 minutes. The dried films arecompared visually and using a colorimeter to evaluate the extent ofrub-up. The visual evaluation can be reported on a pass or fail basisbased on the sample shaking time, and the rub-up characteristics can bereported as none, slight light, moderate light, severe light, slightdark, moderate dark, or severe dark rub. The colorimeter evaluation canbe reported as the strength difference ΔE based on measurements of ΔCRG,ΔCYB and ΔL.

The results for Example 1 are shown below in Table III and Table IV:

TABLE III Tinting alkyd base paint using a water-only colorant withoutand with synergist 4 oz. (118 mL) water-only 4 oz. (118 mL) water-onlycolorant per gallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted baseof tinted base No synergist 2 oz. (59 mL) synergist Colorant Color Tintstrength Rub-up Tint strength Rub-up 8600 white 100.28 Severe dark103.03 Trace dark 8613 yellow 101.50 Severe dark 100.62 None 8614 mediumyellow 98.23 Severe dark 100.21 Trace dark 8621 green 103.61 Severe dark101.56 Trace dark 8632 blue 100.57 Severe dark 100.70 Mod dark 8635 redoxide 100.63 Trace dark 100.82 None 8647 red 99.31 Mod dark 100.44 None8649 magenta 100.06 Severe dark 100.77 Slight dark 8651 red 102.83Severe dark 102.88 Slight dark 8678 yellow oxide 101.05 None 101.50 None8688 raw umber 86.66 Severe dark 101.60 None 8691 black 100.93 Slightdark 100.56 None 8697 brown oxide 100.97 Mod dark 100.57 None

TABLE IV Tinting oil-based stain using a water-only colorant without andwith synergist 12 oz. (355 mL) water-only 12 oz. (355 mL) water-onlycolorant per gallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted baseof tinted base No synergist 2 oz. synergist Colorant Color CompatibilityRub-up Compatibility Rub-up 8600 white Fail 3 Mod light Pass 6 None 8613yellow Pass 6 Trace dark Pass 6 Trace dark 8614 medium yellow Pass 6Trace dark Pass 9 None 8621 green Fail 3 Severe Dark Pass 6 Slight dark8632 blue Fail 1 Severe Dark Pass 6 Mod dark 8635 red oxide Fail 1Severe Dark Pass 6 Slight dark 8647 red Fail 3 Mod dark Pass 6 Slightdark 8649 magenta Fail 3 Severe Dark Pass 6 Mod dark 8651 red Fail 3Severe Dark Pass 6 Mod dark 8678 yellow oxide Fail 3 Mod dark Pass 6Slight dark 8688 raw umber Fail 3 Severe Dark Fail 3 Mod dark 8691 blackFail 3 Mod dark Pass 9 None 8697 brown oxide Fail 3 Severe Dark Pass 6Mod dark

The results in Table III and Table IV show that when the synergist wasnot employed, No. 8613 Yellow did not exhibit objectionableincompatibility when dispensed into the oil-based stain, but in allother instances the colorants exhibited objectionable incompatibilitywhen dispensed into either the alkyd base paint or the oil-based stain.Addition of the synergist significantly improved the compatibility andlessened the susceptibility to rub up for each of the lattercombinations.

Example 2

Using the method of Example 1, NOVOCOLOR HP 8900 water-only fluidcolorants from The Valspar Corporation were tested without and with asynergist in No. 245A320 Ace Royal polyurethane alkyd enamel and in No.0306 Cabot Semi-Transparent deck and siding stain. The results are shownbelow in Table V and Table VI:

TABLE V Tinting alkyd base paint using a water-only colorant without andwith synergist 4 oz. (118 mL) water-only 4 oz. (118 mL) water-onlycolorant per gallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted baseof tinted base No synergist 2 oz. (59 mL) synergist Colorant Color Tintstrength Rub-up Tint strength Rub-up 8900 White 107.39 Mod dark 105.94Slight dark 8913 Organic Yellow 102.34 Slight dark 102.61 None 8915Medium Yellow 105.51 Slight dark 101.39 None 8916 Durable Yellow 101.68Slight dark 101.22 None 8920 Phthalo Green 110.25 Mod dark 105.94 Moddark 8930 Phthalo Blue 106.49 Severe dark 102.31 Slight dark 8935 RedIron Oxide 98.61 Slight dark 101.77 None 8942 Interior Red 104.55 Moddark 105.33 Slight dark 8951 Exterior Red 106.26 Mod dark 106.77 Slightdark 8964 Orange 100.06 Mod dark 102.37 Slight dark 8978 Yellow IronOxide 95.03 Slight dark 101.97 None 8983 Magenta 100.32 Severe dark106.21 Mod dark 8988 Raw Umber 89.09 Mod dark 104.02 Slight dark 8991Lamp Black 109.30 Mod dark 101.83 None

TABLE VI Tinting oil-based stain using a water-only colorant without andwith synergist 12 oz. (355 mL) water-only 12 oz. (355 mL) water-onlycolorant per gallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted baseof tinted base No synergist 2 oz. synergist Colorant Color CompatibilityRub-up Compatibility Rub-up 8900 White Pass 6 None Pass 9 None 8913Organic Yellow Pass 9 None Pass 9 None 8915 Medium Yellow Pass 6 Slightdark Pass 9 None 8916 Durable Yellow Pass 9 None Pass 9 None 8920Phthalo Green Fail 3 Severe dark Pass 6 Slight dark 8930 Phthalo BlueFail 1 Severe dark Pass 9 None 8935 Red Iron Oxide Pass 9 None Pass 9None 8942 Interior Red Pass 6 Slight dark Pass 9 None 8951 Exterior RedFail 3 Mod dark Pass 6 Slight dark 8964 Orange Pass 6 Slight dark Pass 6None 8978 Yellow Iron Oxide Pass 6 None Pass 6 None 8983 Magenta Fail 3Severe dark Pass 6 Slight dark 8988 Raw Umber Fail 3 Mod dark Pass 6Slight dark 8991 Lamp Black Fail 3 Mod dark Pass 9 None

The results in Table V and Table VI show that in nearly all instances,addition of the synergist significantly lessened the susceptibility torub up of the water-only fluid colorants with the alkyd base paint andthe oil-based stain. When tinting the alkyd base paint using the Phthalogreen colorant, somewhat more synergist than that employed in Table Vmay be desirable.

Example 3

Using the method of Example 2, NOVOCOLOR HP 8900 water-only fluidcolorants from The Valspar Corporation were tested without and with asynergist in WEATHER-SHIELD alkyd base paint from Kelly-Moore Co. Theresults are shown below in Table VII:

TABLE VII 2 oz. (59 mL) water-only 2 oz. (59 mL) water-only colorant pergallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted base of tinted baseNo synergist 2 oz. (59 mL) synergist Colorant Color Tint strength Rub-upTint strength Rub-up 8920 Phthalo Green 101.74 Mod dark 101.36 Slightdark 8930 Phthalo Blue 99.25 Severe dark 102.01 Slight dark 8951Exterior Red 101.22 None 101.76 None 8991 Lamp Black 103.39 Mod dark101.02 None

The results in Table VII show that in most instances, addition of thesynergist significantly lessened the susceptibility to rub up of thewater-only fluid colorants with the alkyd base paint. Rub-up was notobserved when adding 2 oz. of the Exterior Red colorant, but thesynergist resulted in an increase in tint strength.

Example 4

Using the method of Example 2, NOVOCOLOR HP 8900 water-only fluidcolorants from The Valspar Corporation were tested without and with asynergist in PERMO-PAVE™ alkyd base paint from Wattyl Australia Pty.Ltd. The results are shown below in Table VIII:

TABLE VIII 2 oz. (59 mL) water-only 2 oz. (59 mL) water-only colorantper gallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted base of tintedbase No synergist 2 oz. (59 mL) synergist Colorant Color Tint strengthRub-up Tint strength Rub-up 8920 Phthalo Green 96.81 Severe dark 101.09Mod dark 8930 Phthalo Blue 98.38 Severe dark 101.34 Mod dark 8951Exterior Red 115.47 Severe dark 101.58 None 8991 Lamp Black 97.81 Severedark 106.44 Slight dark

The results in Table VIII show that in all instances, addition of thesynergist significantly lessened the susceptibility to rub up of thewater-only fluid colorants with the alkyd base paint.

Example 5

Using the method of Example 2, NOVOCOLOR HP 8900 water-only fluidcolorants from The Valspar Corporation were tested without and with asynergist in ACE GREAT FINISHES oil-based wood stain from Ace HardwareCorp. The results are shown below in Table IX:

TABLE IX 2 oz. (59 mL) water-only 2 oz. (59 mL) water-only colorant pergallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted base of tinted baseNo synergist 2 oz. (59 mL) synergist Colorant Color Compatibility Rub-upCompatibility Rub-up 8920 Phthalo Green Fail 3 Mod dark Fail 3 Mod dark8930 Phthalo Blue Fail 1 Severe dark Fail 3 Mod dark 8951 Exterior RedFail 1 Severe dark Fail 3 Mod dark 8991 Lamp Black Fail 3 Mod dark Pass6 Slight dark

The results in Table IX show that in most instances, addition of thesynergist lessened the susceptibility to rub up of the water-only fluidcolorants with the oil-based stain. Adjustment of the synergist amountor synergist ingredients should provide further improvements.

Example 6

Using the method of Example 2, NOVOCOLOR HP 8900 water-only fluidcolorants from The Valspar Corporation were tested without and with asynergist in MCCORMICK oil-based wood stain from McCormick Paints. Theresults are shown below in Table X:

TABLE X 2 oz. (59 mL) water-only 2 oz. (59 mL) water-only colorant pergallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted base of tinted baseNo synergist 2 oz. (59 mL) synergist Colorant Color Compatibility Rub-upCompatibility Rub-up 8920 Phthalo Green Fail 1 Severe dark Fail 3 Moddark 8930 Phthalo Blue Fail 1 Severe dark Fail 3 Mod dark 8951 ExteriorRed Fail 1 Severe dark Pass 6 Slight dark 8991 Lamp Black Fail 1 Severedark Pass 6 Slight dark

The results in Table X show that in all instances, addition of thesynergist lessened the susceptibility to rub up of the water-only fluidcolorants with the oil-based stain.

Example 7

Using the method of Example 1, ECOTONER water-only fluid colorants fromSherwin-Williams were tested without and with a synergist in No. 245A320Ace Royal polyurethane alkyd enamel. The results are shown below inTable XI:

TABLE XI 4 oz. (118 mL) water-only 4 oz. (118 mL) water-only colorantper gallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted base of tintedbase No synergist 2 oz. (59 mL) synergist Colorant Color Tint strengthRub-up Tint strength Rub-up New Red Interior Red 101.43 Severe dark100.32 Mod dark Black Lamp Black 84.48 Severe dark 94.55 Mod dark BluePhthalo Blue 89.21 Severe dark 102.20 Mod dark New Green Phthalo Green97.48 Severe dark 100.57 Mod dark Yellow Organic Yellow 70.67 Severedark 99.99 Slight dark

The results in Table XI show that in all instances, addition of thesynergist significantly lessened the susceptibility to rub up of thewater-only fluid colorants with the alkyd base paint. In most instances,the synergist also increased tint strength.

Example 8

Using the method of Example 1, GENNEX water-only fluid colorants fromBenjamin Moore were tested without and with a synergist in No. 245A320Ace Royal polyurethane alkyd enamel. The results are shown below inTable XII:

TABLE XII 4 oz. (118 mL) water-only 4 oz. (118 mL) water-only colorantper gallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted base of tintedbase No synergist 2 oz. (59 mL) synergist Colorant Color Tint strengthRub-up Tint strength Rub-up 229-R2 Interior Red 99.79 Severe dark 99.53Slight dark Red 229-S1 Lamp Black 92.84 Mod dark 103.62 Mod dark Black229-B1 Phthalo Blue 97.96 Severe dark 104.45 Mod dark Blue 229-G1Phthalo Green 100.23 Mod dark 107.77 Slight dark Green 229-Y2 OrganicYellow 95.85 Severe dark 98.05 Slight dark Yellow

The results in Table XII show that in most instances, addition of thesynergist significantly lessened the susceptibility to rub up of thewater-only fluid colorants with the alkyd base paint. In most instances,the synergist also increased tint strength.

Example 9

Using the method of Example 1, ECOTONER water-only fluid colorants fromSherwin-Williams were tested without and with a synergist in No. 0306Cabot Semi-Transparent deck and siding stain. The results are shownbelow in Table XIII:

TABLE XIII 12 oz. (355 mL) water-only 12 oz. (355 mL) water-onlycolorant per gallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted baseof tinted base No synergist 2 oz. (59 mL) synergist Colorant ColorCompatibility Rub-up Compatibility Rub-up New Red Interior Red Fail 1Severe dark Pass 6 Slight dark Black Lamp Black Fail 1 Severe dark Pass6 Slight dark Blue Phthalo Blue Fail 1 Severe dark Fail 3 Mod dark NewGreen Phthalo Green Fail 1 Severe dark Pass 6 None Yellow Organic YellowFail 1 Severe dark Pass 6 Slight dark

The results in Table XIII show that in all instances, addition of thesynergist significantly lessened the susceptibility to rub up of thewater-only fluid colorants with the oil-based stain. When tinting thestain using the Phthalo green colorant, somewhat more synergist thanthat employed in Table XIII may be desirable.

Example 10

Using the method of Example 1, GENNEX water-only fluid colorants fromBenjamin Moore were tested without and with a synergist in No. 0306Cabot Semi-Transparent deck and siding stain. The results are shownbelow in Table XIV:

TABLE XIV 12 oz. (355 mL) water-only 12 oz. (355 mL) water-only colorantper gallon (3.8 L) colorant per gallon (3.8 L) of tinted base of tintedbase No synergist 2 oz. (59 mL) synergist Colorant Color CompatibilityRub-up Compatibility Rub-up 229-R2 Interior Red Fail 1 Severe dark Pass6 Slight dark Red 229-S1 Lamp Black Fail 1 Severe dark Pass 6 None Black229-B1 Phthalo Blue Fail 1 Severe dark Pass 6 Slight dark Blue 229-G1Phthalo Green Fail 1 Severe dark Fail 3 Mod dark Green 229-Y2 OrganicYellow Fail 1 Severe dark Pass 6 Slight dark Yellow

The results in Table XIV show that in all instances, addition of thesynergist significantly lessened the susceptibility to rub up of thewater-only fluid colorants with the oil-based stain. When tinting thestain using the Phthalo green colorant, somewhat more synergist thanthat employed in Table XIII may be desirable.

Example 11

The synergist formulation shown in Table II was neutralized withpotassium hydroxide to lessen its acidity and lessen the likelihood thatthe synergist might cause corrosion or off-gassing in metal containers.The thus-modified synergist is shown below in Table XV:

TABLE XV Ingredient Wt. % Rhodacal VS1 Surfactant 41.59 Rhodafac RS-710Surfactant 31.15 Dioctyl Maleate Cosolvent 20.72 Potassium Hydroxide6.65

The invention is further illustrated by the following embodiments:

1. A point-of-sale custom color system for tinting base paints andstains, the system comprising:

-   -   a) an array of water-only fluid colorants including at least        white, green, blue and red colorants, the colorants being        packaged in containers with a volume of 0.5 to 5 L and from        which colorant may be gravimetrically or volumetrically        dispensed via an automated or manual colorant dispenser into the        base paint or stain; and    -   b) at least one synergist containing, primarily or exclusively,        one or more ingredients that will disperse the water-only        colorants into solvent-borne base paints or stains.

2. A system according to embodiment 1, further comprising at least onewater-borne base paint or stain and at least one solvent-borne basepaint or stain, the base paints or stains being packaged in largely butincompletely filled point-of-sale containers with a volume of 0.2 to 20L equipped with an openable and recloseable lid, cap or other closurefor an opening through which colorant may be dispensed from theautomated or manual colorant dispenser into the base paint or stain.

3. A system according to embodiment 1, further comprising the automatedor manual colorant dispenser.

4. A point-of-sale custom color system for tinting base paints andstains, the system comprising:

-   -   a) an array of water-only fluid colorants including at least        white, green, blue and red colorants, the colorants being        packaged in containers with a volume of 0.5 to 5 L and from        which colorant may be gravimetrically or volumetrically        dispensed via an automated or manual colorant dispenser into the        base paint or stain; and    -   b) at least one water-borne base paint or stain and at least one        solvent-borne base paint or stain, the base paints or stains        being packaged in largely but incompletely filled point-of-sale        containers with a volume of 0.2 to 20 L equipped with an        openable and recloseable lid, cap or other closure for an        opening through which colorant may be dispensed from the        automated or manual colorant dispenser into the base paint or        stain, wherein the solvent-borne base paint or stain includes a        synergist in the form of one or more ingredients that will        disperse the water-only colorants into such solvent-borne base        paint or stain.

5. A system according to embodiment 4, further comprising the automatedor manual colorant dispenser.

6. A method for point-of-sale custom paint or stain tinting, the methodcomprising using an automated or manual colorant dispenser to dispenseinto water-borne and solvent-borne base paints or stains at a retail,wholesale or combined retail/wholesale outlet one or more water-onlyfluid colorants selected from an array of colorants including at leastwhite, black, red, green and blue water-only colorants, and furthercomprising adding to or including in the solvent-borne base paints orstains at least one synergist containing one or more ingredients thatwill disperse the water-only colorants into such solvent-borne basepaints or stains.

7. A method according to embodiment 6, wherein the synergist is added tothe solvent-borne base paint or stain before dispensing any of the oneor more water-only fluid colorants into such solvent-borne base paint orstain.

8. A system according to embodiment 4 or method according to embodiment6, wherein the solvent-borne base paints or stains do not alreadyinclude sufficient ingredients from the synergist to disperse thewater-only fluid colorants into such solvent-borne base paint or stainswithout causing objectionable rub-up.

9. A system according to embodiment 4 or method according to embodiment6, wherein the synergist is included in the solvent-borne base paint orstain.

10. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe synergist is disposed in one or more tinting machine dispenser slotsnormally reserved for a colorant, and dispensed into the base paint orstain using a tinting machine metering circuit.

11. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinwater-only fluid colorants are used whenever tinting a water-borne basepaint or stain, and water-only fluid colorants and the synergist areused whenever tinting a solvent-borne base paint or stain.

12. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe array includes one or more yellow and one or more colored oxidecolorants.

13. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe synergist comprises a surfactant, optional dispersing agent andoptional cosolvent.

14. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe synergist comprises a combination of two or more surfactants thatprovides improved compatibility across a range of base paints or stainsor within an array of water-only fluid colorants.

15. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe synergist comprises a nonionic surfactant.

16. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe synergist comprises dioctyl maleate, tributyl citrate, a dihydric orpolyhydric alcohol, a polyether, a modified polyurea, a polyalkyleneoxide or a combination thereof.

17. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe synergist comprises a compound having the formula I shown below:R₁O(C(O))_(m)A(R₃)(R₄)(C(O))_(n)R₂  I

-   -   wherein: A is a divalent C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl or C₃-C₁₀        cycloalkyl radical;    -   R₃ and R₄ are independently H, substituted or unsubstituted        C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, —OR₅        or C(O)OR₅ radicals, wherein R₅ is H or a substituted or        unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₃-C₆        cycloalkyl, or C₁-C₆ alkoxy radical;    -   R₁ and R₂ are independently H, —C═O, or a substituted or        unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl radical;    -   m is 0 or 1; and    -   n is 0 or 1.

18. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe synergist comprises a dispersing agent.

19. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe synergist comprises a cosolvent.

20. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, wherein atleast 50 wt. % of the synergist comprises surfactant and optionaldispersing agent or cosolvent.

21. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, wherein atleast 80 wt. % of the synergist comprises surfactant and optionaldispersing agent or cosolvent.

22. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, wherein atleast 90 wt. % of the synergist comprises surfactant and optionaldispersing agent or cosolvent.

23. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe synergist consists essentially of a surfactant, dispersing agent,cosolvent and an optional rheology modifier.

24. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe synergist is contained in a metal or plastic box, can, cartridge,jar, pouch, squeeze bottle, syringe or collapsible tube.

25. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe amount and type of synergist added to the solvent-borne base paintor stain is the same whenever a solvent-borne base paint or stain istinted.

26. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe amount or type of synergist added to the solvent-borne base paint orstain varies depending on the amount of colorant to be dispensed.

27. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe amount or type of synergist added to the solvent-borne base paint orstain varies depending on the colorant to be dispensed.

28. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe amount or type of synergist added to the solvent-borne base paint orstain varies depending on the solvent-borne base paint or stain to betinted.

29. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinall of the colorants in the array and in the colorant dispenser arewater-only fluid colorants.

30. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinless than two of the colorants in the array and in the colorantdispenser are compatible with alkyd paints and stains, and the remainingcolorants in the array will exhibit visually objectionable rub-up ifdispensed into such alkyd paints and stains in representative tintingamounts of 1 to 15% of the alkyd paint or stain container volume.

31. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe solvent-borne base paint or stain is a paint.

32. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe solvent-borne base paint or stain comprises an alkyd paint.

33. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe solvent-borne base paint or stain comprises a polyurethane paint.

34. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe solvent-borne base paint or stain comprises an epoxy paint.

35. A system or method according to any preceding embodiment, whereinthe solvent-borne base paint or stain is an oil-based stain.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that theteachings found herein may be applied to yet other embodiments withinthe scope of the claims hereto attached. The complete disclosure of allpatents, patent documents, and publications are incorporated herein byreference as if individually incorporated.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A paint factory filling and packaging lineincluding: a) a conveyor that transports containers which are largelybut incompletely filled with solvent-borne base paint or stain, and b) afilling station where at least one synergist is added to the containers,the synergist containing, primarily or exclusively, one or moreingredients that will disperse water-only colorants, from an arrayincluding at least white, green, blue and red colorants, into thesolvent-borne base paints or stains, c) a capping station to installlids on the containers, and d) a pressing station to close the lids onthe containers, wherein the solvent-borne base paint or stain does notalready contain ingredients sufficient to satisfactorily disperse thewater-only colorants into the solvent-borne base paint or stain if suchcolorants are added in amounts sufficient to fill available headspace inthe containers.
 2. A paint factory filling and packaging line accordingto claim 1, wherein the containers have a volume of about 0.2 to 20 Land the lids are openable and recloseable.
 3. A paint factory fillingand packaging line according to claim 1, wherein the solvent-borne basepaints or stains do not already contain ingredients sufficient todisperse the water-only fluid colorants into such solvent-borne basepaints or stains without causing more than moderate dark rub-up in theRub-Up Test.
 4. A paint factory filling and packaging line according toclaim 1, wherein the synergist comprises a surfactant, optionaldispersing agent and optional cosolvent.
 5. A paint factory filling andpackaging line according to claim 1, wherein at least 80 wt. % of thesynergist comprises surfactant and optional dispersing agent orcosolvent.
 6. A paint factory filling and packaging line according toclaim 1, wherein the synergist comprises surfactant and cosolvent.
 7. Apaint factory filling and packaging line according to claim 1, whereinthe synergist comprises surfactant, cosolvent and rheology modifier. 8.A paint factory filling and packaging line according to claim 1, whereinthe synergist comprises surfactant and dispersing agent.
 9. A paintfactory filling and packaging line according to claim 1, wherein thesynergist further comprises an adhesion promoter.
 10. A paint factoryfilling and packaging line according to claim 1, wherein the synergistfurther comprises a diluent.
 11. A paint factory filling and packagingline according to claim 10, wherein the diluent is a reactive diluent.12. A paint factory filling and packaging line according to claim 1,wherein the synergist comprises a nonionic surfactant.
 13. A paintfactory filling and packaging line according to claim 1, wherein thesynergist comprises an anionic surfactant.
 14. A paint factory fillingand packaging line according to claim 1, wherein the synergist comprisesa combination of two or more surfactants that provides improvedcompatibility across a range of base paints or stains or within an arrayof water-only fluid colorants.
 15. A paint factory filling and packagingline according to claim 1, wherein the synergist comprises a compoundhaving the formula I shown below:R₁O(C(O))_(m)A(R₃)(R₄)(C(O))_(n)R₂  I wherein: A is a divalent C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl or C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl radical; R₃ and R₄ areindependently H, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, substitutedor unsubstituted C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, —OR₅ or C(O)OR₅ radicals, wherein R₅is H or a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, or C₁-C₆ alkoxy radical; R₁ and R₂ areindependently H, —C═O, or a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkylradical; m is 0 or 1; and n is 0 or
 1. 16. A paint factory filling andpackaging line according to claim 1, wherein the synergist comprisesdioctyl maleate, tributyl citrate, a dihydric or polyhydric alcohol, apolyether, a modified polyurea, a polyalkylene oxide or a combinationthereof.
 17. A paint factory filling and packaging line according toclaim 1, further comprising a dispenser for dispensing water-onlycolorants into the solvent-borne base paint or stain.
 18. A paintfactory filling and packaging line according to claim 17, wherein thedispenser is a gravimetric dispenser.
 19. A paint factory filling andpackaging line according to claim 17, wherein the dispenser is avolumetric dispenser.
 20. A paint factory filling and packaging lineaccording to claim 17, wherein the water-only colorants are fluidcolorants.
 21. A paint factory filling and packaging line according toclaim 17, wherein the water-only colorants are powdered colorants.
 22. Apaint factory filling and packaging line according to claim 1, whereinthe solvent-borne base paint or stain is an alkyd paint.
 23. A paintfactory filling and packaging line according to claim 1, wherein thesolvent-borne base paint or stain is a polyurethane paint.
 24. A paintfactory filling and packaging line according to claim 1, wherein thesolvent-borne base paint or stain is an epoxy paint.
 25. A paint factoryfilling and packaging line according to claim 1, wherein thesolvent-borne base paint or stain is an oil-based stain.